The producers didn't have the guts to go through with a pessimistic ending. The original ending (ie. Shaw kills 'self) was much better, but the producers didn't want to see Denzel die. Plus, I wish they would have had Manchurian global stay active- like maybe reveal they were controlling the President...or something similar and not the coward "2 good guys somehow bring down the most powerful corp in the world" ending. Meryl Streep did an excellent job, creepier than Lansbury...Mrs. Shaw is such an awesome character. Shrieber did well too, another freaky guy. I like the brainwashing scene from the original better, though.